UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has strongly criticized the EU's recent statement referring to the Falkland Islands as "Islas Malvinas," asserting that the Islands are unquestionably British

territory. The EU's apparent backing of Argentina's name for the Islands has sparked concerns and reactions from British officials.

In response to the EU's stance at a summit with Latin American and Caribbean leaders, Sunak's spokesperson emphasized that it would have been unacceptable for the EU to question the Falkland islanders' right to determine their own future. The spokesperson reaffirmed that the Falkland Islands are British, and this status was confirmed by the islanders themselves in the 2013 referendum, where an overwhelming 99.8% voted in favor of remaining a UK overseas territory.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly echoed this sentiment, asserting that the Falkland Islanders have the right to make their own democratic choices. He urged both Argentina and the EU to respect this democratic choice.

The Falkland Islands government also voiced its disappointment with the EU's position, emphasizing that they have a clear identity and name. The government expressed disappointment that the decision was made without their input and urged the EU member states and others to respect their right to self-determination, a fundamental right enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Argentina has long laid claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known as Las Malvinas. The historical conflict over the Islands in 1982 led to significant casualties on both sides, but the UK ultimately retained control. The issue remains sensitive, and the recent EU statement has further added to the tensions between the parties involved. Photo by Ben Tubby, Wikimedia commons.